Which players have won the World Cup the most times?

Being called up for a World Cup squad is the greatest dream of any professional footballer's career, and winning the sport's most prestigious tournament is one of the highest honours an athlete can attain.

Claiming the world title more than once, however, is a feat reserved for legends. Here, Football Whispers takes a look at the players who have won football's biggest prize the most times in history.

Rightfully crowned the King of Football, Pele is the only player ever to win the World Cup three times, a record that has stood for nearly 60 years. The forward featured in Brazil's title triumphs in Sweden in 1958, Chile in 1962, and Mexico in 1970, cementing his place as the greatest winner in the competition's history.

Beyond Pele, a select group of players have claimed the title on more than one occasion, all belonging to just three nations: Italy in the 1930s; Brazil, spanning their 1958 and 1962 victories as well as players who featured in both the 1994 and 2002 squads; and Argentina in 1978 and 1986.

Most decorated World Cup winners

• Three titles – Pele
• Two titles – Garrincha, Gilmar, Djalma Santos, Zozimo, Nilton Santos, Mauro Ramos, Zito, Didi, Vava, Zagallo, Pepe, Cafu and Ronaldo (Brazil)
• Two titles – Daniel Passarella (Argentina)
• Two titles – Giuseppe Meazza, Giovanni Ferrari, Guido Masetti and Eraldo Monzeglio (Italy)

Brazil's two-time winners

Garrincha: Present in the title-winning squads of 1958 and 1962, he played a fundamental role in both campaigns, particularly in 1962 when he stepped up as the team's main protagonist after Pele was injured. He was named the tournament's best player at that Chile edition and finished as its top scorer.

Gilmar dos Santos Neves: Known as the “Lion of the Wall,” the goalkeeper was the undisputed starter for Brazil's first two World Cup triumphs, lifting the trophy in 1958 and 1962 and establishing himself as one of the great goalkeepers in Brazilian football history.

Djalma Santos: One of the finest right-backs ever to play the game, he won back-to-back World Cups with Brazil, contributing his technical quality at both tournaments and earning a reputation for his exceptional long throw-ins. He featured in four editions of the competition: 1954, 1958, 1962 and 1966. At the 1958 tournament, he was named to FIFA's All-Star XI.

Zozimo: A legendary centre-back for the Selecao, Zozimo also played in Sweden and Chile, cementing his place as a regular starter during the 1962 campaign. His distinguishing qualities were his technique, intelligence and elegant touch on the ball.

Nilton Santos: Voted by FIFA as the greatest left-back of all time, Nilton Santos was a cornerstone of the 1958 and 1962 title-winning sides. Known as the “Football Encyclopedia,” the Botafogo icon transformed the full-back position by blending extraordinary talent with tactical intelligence.

Mauro Ramos: He was part of the Brazilian delegation at the 1954, 1958 and 1962 World Cups, a remarkable achievement in itself. However, he did not take to the pitch in the first two editions. In 1962, the centre-back was not only a first-choice starter but also served as captain throughout the title-winning campaign.

Zito: A Santos legend, Zito stood out as a modern midfielder ahead of his time, capable of contributing both defensively and offensively. He earned his place in the starting XI during the 1958 tournament and was a key figure in 1962, featuring in six of the seven matches.

Didi: Didi belongs to the pantheon of Brazilian football's all-time greats. With his unpredictable dead-ball delivery, one of Botafogo's most beloved icons conquered the world with Brazil in 1958 and 1962, was named the best player of the competition in the first triumph and earned a place in the tournament's All-Star XI in the second.

Zagallo: Mario Jorge Lobo Zagallo became one of football's most enduring figures, the only person in history to win four World Cups. A regular starter in the 1958 and 1962 title sides, Zagallo also lifted the trophy as manager in 1970 and served on the coaching staff during Brazil's fourth world title in 1994.

Vava: Vava represented Brazil for over a decade and is the Selecao's third-highest World Cup scorer of all time with nine goals. Nicknamed “Steel Chest,” the Vasco idol from Pernambuco scored five goals during the 1958 campaign in Sweden. Four years later, he was again among the top scorers as Brazil won their second consecutive title, netting four times.

Pepe: The Santos legend cemented his place as a two-time world champion with Brazil in 1958 and 1962. Fortune was not on his side, however, as he picked up injuries during both tournaments that prevented him from performing to his full potential as a starter.

Cafu: One of the greatest right-backs in football history, Cafu reached three consecutive World Cup finals. He was a champion in 1994 and 2002 and is immortalised as the captain who lifted the trophy for Brazil's fifth world title.

Ronaldo: One of the most complete strikers the game has ever seen, ‘O Fenomeno' was the driving force behind Brazil's fifth world title.

After suffering devastating injuries, he made a remarkable comeback and returned to the highest level, finishing the 2002 tournament as its top scorer. He remains the Selecao's all-time leading World Cup goalscorer with 15 goals.

Other two-time world champions

Giuseppe Meazza: Widely regarded as one of the finest Italian players of all time, he lifted the trophy for the first time when Italy hosted the World Cup in 1934. Meazza claimed his second title four years later at the tournament held in France.

Giovanni Ferrari: A mainstay of the historic Italian squads, the midfielder featured in both of Italy's consecutive title wins in 1934 and 1938, establishing himself as one of the Azzurri's first true greats.

Guido Masetti: Although primarily a squad player, the goalkeeper won back-to-back World Cups with Italy, making him one of the few goalkeepers in history to lift the trophy on two separate occasions.

Eraldo Monzeglio: The defender also featured in both of Italy's title-winning campaigns. He was a first-choice starter at the home edition in 1934, before serving as a backup at the tournament in France, where the squad had been refreshed with younger talent.

Daniel Passarella: The storied Argentine defender, one of the greatest centre-backs in World Cup history, was part of the squads that claimed the Albiceleste's first two World Cup titles in 1978 and 1986, making him the only Argentine player ever to achieve that distinction.